At this point of jockey Gary Stevens’ return to racing, it’s looking more like the almost 50-year-old is putting on a clinic rather than a comeback.

Stevens, who will turn 50 Wednesday, decided in December to return from a seven-year retirement and see if he still had the skills that made him a Hall of Fame rider while he was still in his 30s.

The racetrack is a skeptical place, however. Memories of Stevens’ numerous championship rides combined with doubts that his balky knees would allow him to capture yesteryear cast doubt on whether this comeback would be met with success or laughter.

Just over two months into his return, though, and nobody’s laughing.

Especially not the other riders on the rugged Southern California circuit.

Instead, there’s been nothing but praise and amazement.

Stevens hopes to add another storybook chapter to his return Saturday when he rides Called to Serve in the 76th running of the Grade I $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap at 1<MD+,%30,%55,%70>1/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>4miles.

“Two months ago, nobody even knew I was coming back,” Stevens said. “The goal I had was to be able to ride in races of this caliber. Whether it was going to happen or not, I didn’t know. I prepared myself as if I was going to be, but you have to have the acceptance from the trainers and owner, foremost.”

Owners and trainers have certainly become Stevens believers, as has just about everybody who has been watching his work over the past two months.

Stevens has ridden in 51 races and won six of them. He has also been a tad unlucky to have 15 second-place finishes and eight thirds.

But in big races, which are really the focus of Stevens’ career at this point, he has shown no sign of cobwebs.

Around Santa Anita, they’re still talking about the merry-go-round ride Stevens gave long shot Great Hot to win the Grade II $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes on Feb. 16.

Great Hot had not won in her 13 previous races, but Stevens put the 5-year-old mare on the front and lulled everybody else in the race to sleep. When they woke up, it was too late and Stevens had crossed the wire first.

A week earlier, Stevens turned in another polished ride on Slim Shadey, who he guided to a win in the Grade II $150,000 San Marcos Stakes.

Stevens has been so impressive in big races this meeting, that people think one of the biggest factors in Called to Serve’s favor is the fact that Stevens will be on his back.

“I’ve won a couple of big ones leading up to Saturday’s race and I’ve prepared myself for this moment if the opportunity was there, and the opportunity is now on us,” Stevens said. “I’m super excited about it. I can’t say that I’m shocked that I’m riding in it either. I really didn’t know what to expect going in, but I did have some goals set and this was one of them.”

Big ‘Cap success is nothing new to Stevens. He has won four of them with the last coming in 2005 aboard Rock Hard Ten, who Stevens said Called to Serve reminds him of.

“He’s big and powerful with an attitude,” Stevens said when comparing Called to Serve to Rock Hard Ten. “I love how he’s coming into this race.

“I’ve worked him out twice in the morning and I’ve been super, super impressed with him.”

Top East Coast rider Joel Rosario had ridden Called to Serve to victories in his past two races, but he had prior commitments that wouldn’t allow him to be aboard Saturday. Once trainer Nick Canani and owner Marc Ferrell realized that, they hustled to get Stevens for the race.

Stevens has probably done enough already in a short amount of time to ensure that he’ll be getting a steady stream of mounts on top contenders in the country’s biggest races this year. Still, though, winning the Santa Anita Handicap would solidify things in a way that no other race so far this year could.

It won’t come easy, however. Game On Dude, the favorite, is currently the West Coast’s top handicap horse. Second-choice Ron the Greek won last year’s race with ease and looks set to run another smasher. Yet given the way Stevens has recaptured the magic, there will be plenty of people wagering Saturday that he’ll be able to pull off the upset.

From former doubters to long-standing supporters, Stevens gives the impression there’s plenty of room left on the bandwagon for whomever wants to come aboard. A win Saturday and it might get crowded.

“You’re only good as your last race, but I think we’ve made a good initial impact on what I’m still capable of doing,” Stevens said. “I’m by no means taking the competition lightly because any time you’re running for this type of money, the competition is extra tough. But I love my chances.”

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